COVID-19 Emergency Homeless Shelter Plans

Presentation to CHAB, July 20, 2020

Arlo Stockham
City of Reno Community Development Director / Acting Assistant City Manager
Background

• Homeless Sheltering prior to COVID-19

• Facilities at or over capacity
• Record Street Community Assistance Center (CAC)
• Washington Street Overflow Shelter
• Temporary overflow (winter tent @ CAC)
• Additional facilities under construction:
o Our Place (for Women and Families)
o Hope Springs (30 Unit, Bridge Housing, Tiny Home Village)
• Transitional Housing Opportunities
• Significant unsheltered population

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Background

• COVID-19 Impacts and Opportunities

• Existing facilities are undersized for social distancing
• Expected increase in homelessness
• Larger unsheltered population
• Suspension of clean and safe operations (now
resumed)
• Increased community concerns
• Larger site(s) is needed
• Opportunity to use Emergency / CARES Funds

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Current Situation

• Homeless Sheltering Today:

• Community Assistance Center (CAC): 35 qualified men
o Day use area recently re-opened
• Our Place Family Shelter
o Opened June with 140 Person Capacity
• Washington Street Overflow Shelter – temporary /
emergency use
o ±50 Women
o Women move to Our Place upon completion (August 15)
• Reno Event Center (REC) - temporary / emergency use
o 306 Person Capacity
o Typical Use = 230-265 people; Peak Use = 290 people
• RSCVA request to vacate the REC by August 3.
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Shelter Needs

• Capacity Needs:
• Women and families addressed with Our Place (and
Washington St interim use)
• An interim No Barrier Shelter is needed now
• Longer term and larger facilities to be developed ASAP

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Shelter Considerations

• Key Considerations for Near-Term Men’s

Shelter(s):
• Immediate availability
• Maintain & expand current shelter capacity (340 people)
• Location near support services and transit
• Law enforcement presence and CPTED (Crime
Prevention Through Environmental Design) site plan
• Proximity to day use areas
• Consolidated location to the extent feasible
• Reasonable cost

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Near Term Plan

• Continue to pursue a larger site for a longer term

facility
• Interim arrangement to vacate the Reno Event
Center
• Expanded use of the CAC
• New temporary shelter on East 4th Street

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Near Term Plan

• Area 1: 135 people within the CAC structure:

• Traditional shelter areas
• Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet
• Apartment units
• Common areas
• Overflow capacity for 40 additional people at
the CAC
• Day use area with similar capacity

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Near Term Plan

• Area 2: Shelter for ±165 people at the East Fourth

Street Meals Site
• Owned by TMWA – consent to use
• Space for about 18,750 sf of temporary tent shelter
• Limited site work needed
• Water, Sewer and Power is on-site
• Relocate meals facility to adjoining TMWA parcel
• Open Governor’s Bowl Park and install shade canopies
for day use

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Interim Shelter Sites

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4th Street Shelter Site

Temporary Shelters
New Dining +-18,750 SF total
Area
(with shade)

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